10 Best Kids Smart Watches 2025 in the United States

The Apple Watch SE 3 GPS 40mm is a high-quality smartwatch that can serve kids well, especially those who are a bit older or tech-savvy. It offers reliable built-in GPS for location tracking, which is great for parents wanting to keep an eye on their child's whereabouts. The battery lasts about 18 hours with normal use, enough for a full day, and it charges quickly, so kids won’t be stuck waiting long to get back on. Its durable aluminum case and tough Ion-X glass provide reasonable protection against everyday bumps and scrapes, though it’s not specifically designed as a rugged kids' watch.

Parental controls are supported through the "Apple Watch For Your Kids" setup, letting parents manage calls, texts, and location sharing even if the child doesn’t have their own iPhone. This helps keep communication safe and under supervision. The watch includes many health and fitness features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and fitness workouts, which can encourage healthy habits but it lacks explicit educational apps or games tailored for younger children.

Communication options are solid with texting, calling, Siri voice assistant, and notifications, but these require pairing with an iPhone or Wi-Fi. The always-on display is convenient, making it easy for kids to check the time or notifications without extra effort. Design-wise, the 40mm size and lightweight build make it comfortable for smaller wrists, and there are various band colors and styles to choose from. While it is water resistant, it may not be as rugged or kid-focused as other watches specifically made for younger children with heavy play in mind. Some advanced health features might be more useful for adults than kids. The Apple Watch SE 3 is a versatile, stylish smartwatch with strong tracking, communication, and safety features that suit preteens and teens, but families looking for simple, durable watches with built-in educational tools for younger kids might want to explore other options.

The Garmin Bounce is a solid choice for a kids' smartwatch, especially if you want strong location tracking and easy communication. It has built-in GPS that lets parents follow their child's whereabouts in real time and set safe zones with alerts. Messaging works both ways, with text and voice options accessible through a parent app, which helps stay connected without a phone. The watch is durable and swim-friendly, so it can handle active kids, and the bright 1.3-inch touchscreen is easy to use.

Battery life lasts up to two days but can be shorter if you use GPS and messaging a lot, so daily charging might be necessary. Parental controls are good for safety, including an assistance feature for kids to send quick location alerts. However, there are no specific educational features built in, so it’s more about communication and safety than learning. The design is comfortable and suitable for kids, but keep in mind it needs an active subscription and LTE network to unlock most smart features.

If your priority is reliable tracking and staying in touch, Garmin Bounce serves well, though those wanting extra learning tools might want to look elsewhere.

The TickTalk 5 stands out as a comprehensive smartwatch designed specifically for kids aged 3 to 12, making it a strong choice for parents prioritizing safety and connectivity. Its GPS tracking is highly accurate, enhanced by AI-powered SmartPin technology, which helps parents keep precise tabs on their child’s location, even indoors. Communication options are impressive, supporting HD-quality video and voice calls, text messaging with security features like end-to-end encryption, and even group chats, offering a broad and secured way for kids to stay connected with family. Battery life is another plus, boasting over 100 hours of standby time, which means less frequent charging and more reliable use throughout the day. The watch is built tough with IP67-rated water resistance and shockproof design, suitable for active kids, while its ScreenSafe feature helps protect the display from damage.

Parental controls are extensive and user-friendly, allowing parents to manage contacts, block unknown callers, set reminders, enable school mode, and more, all through a smartphone app. Educational and wellness features include a step tracker with customizable goals and kid-friendly music streaming, promoting healthy habits without distractions from games or social media. The watch’s 1.54-inch touchscreen is comfortable for small wrists, and it supports both iOS and Android devices, adding versatility.

One possible drawback is the relatively limited internal memory (8 GB), which might restrict the amount of music or photos stored, and the rectangular design may not appeal to every child’s style preferences. Also, the advanced features rely on a stable 4G LTE connection, so coverage may vary by location. The TickTalk 5 offers a well-rounded balance of fun, safety, and parental control, making it an excellent option for families seeking peace of mind while providing kids with a connected, kid-friendly device.